What does future hold for historic downtown buildings?

A quote from a Rockdale town hall meeting: “Once you lose historic buildings in a downtown area, you can never get them back.”

What a loss. And then someone asks “why can’t Rockdale be like Bastrop, or Georgetown, or Giddings?”

What is the worth in restoring an old building? Why not ask “Main Street” cities, like Taylor, those that have recently restored their downtown districts to attract travelers?

In 2011, Rockdale Downtown Association began an effort to recognize historic buildings in the downtown area including the old City Hall, now used as the Police Station, and the Kay Theater were the first to receive an RDA Historic Marker.

Purpose was to identify historic buildings. After meeting historic requirements, including the year the building was constructed, original owners, and contribution to Rockdale, the structure could receive recognition. Buildings between Green and Scarbrough and Main from the railroad tracks to Davilla face an uncertain future.

After years of dedicated hard work I&GN Depot was restored and has received the highest recognition in a Texas Historical Site Marker, and a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark Marker from Texas Historical Commission. It is also listed in the National Register.

McVoy’s has been renovated and has a THC site marker and now houses auctions.

The old American Legion Hall was demolished several years ago due to age and replaced with a park by its new owner Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

Across the alley from the park stood Garcia’s building. Years passed trying to solve an ownership problem before it was damaged by high wind and rain.

During demolit ion, heavy equipment grabbed the south wall of Heavenly Treasures.

The building sold. That organization relocated north to the Phillips Luckey building. The red brick building is now being torn down. To be continued.